whom 〈◊〉 he borrows the most part of his first tome as he doth the 2. from Matth. Amat Lusitanus In his time the Italian Physition Petrus Andreas 〈◊〉 set forth his Commentaries vpon Dioscorides first in Italian with 957 large and very faire figures and then afterwards in Latine at Venice with the same figures An. 1568. After this he set forth his Epitome in Quarto with 921 smaller figures Now these his Commentaries are very large and he hath in them deliuered the historie of many Plants not mentioned by 〈◊〉 but he is iustly reprehended by some for that he euery where taxes and notes other Writers when as he himselfe runs into many errours and some of them wilfull ones as when he giues figures framed by his owne fancie as that of Dracontium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. and falsified othersome in part the better to make them 〈◊〉 with Dioscori his description as when he pictures Arbor Indae with prickles and giues it 〈◊〉 the true Acatia and he oft-times giues bare figures without description of his owne but saith it is that described by Dioscorides Nullis 〈◊〉 not is for which the Authors of the Aduersaria much declaime against him It had bin fit for him or any one that takes such a worke in 〈◊〉 to haue shewed by describing the plant he giues and conferring it with the description of his Author that there is not any one note wanting in the description vertues or other particulars which his Author sets downe and if hee can shew that his is such then will the contrary opinions of all others fall of themselues and need no confutation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also about the same time set forth Commentaries vpon Dioscorides adding the names in diuers Languages but without figures at Strausbourgh An. 1554. in 〈◊〉 he dissented from 〈◊〉 in many things whereupon 〈◊〉 writ an Apologie against him He hath performed no great matter in his Enarrations vpon Dioscorides but was an Author of the honestie of 〈◊〉 for as the one deceiued the world with 〈◊〉 figures so the other by feined cures to strengthen his opinion as Crato iudges of his 〈◊〉 Medicinales another worke of his which hee thinkes potius 〈◊〉 quam 〈◊〉 Rembertus Dodonaeus a Physition borne at 〈◊〉 in Brabant about this time begun to write of Plants Hee first set foorth a Historie in Dutch which by Clusius was turned into French with some additions Anno Domini 〈◊〉 And this was translated out of French into English by Master Henry Lite and set forth with figures Anno Dom. 1578. and diuers times since printed but without Figures In the yeare 1552 Dodonaeus set forth in Latine his 〈◊〉 Historia and within a while after his Florum purgantium 〈◊〉 Historia Afterwards hee put them all together his former and those his later Workes and diuided them into thirtie Bookes and set them forth with 1305 figures in fol. An. 1583. This edition was also translated into English which became the foundation of this present Worke as I shall shew hereafter It hath since beene printed in Latine with the addition of some few new figures and of late in Dutch Anno 1618. with the addition of the same figures and most of these in the Exoticks of Clusius and great store of other additions His generall method is this first he diuides his Works into six Pemptades or fiues the fifth Pemptas or fiue bookes of these containe Plants in an Alphabeticall order yet so as that other Plants that haue affinitie with them are comprehended with them though they fall not into the order of the Alphabet The second Pempt containes Flores Coronarij Plantae odoratae vmbelliferae The third is De Radicibus Purg antibus Herbis convolvulis deleterijs ac perniciosis Plantis Filicibus Muscis Fungis The fourth is De Frumentis Leguminibus palustribus aquatilibus The fifth De Oleribus Carduis The sixth de Fruticibus Arboribus The particular method is the same vsed by our Author In the yeare 1570 Peter Pena and Matthias Lobel did here at London set forth a Worke entituled Stirpium Aduersaria noua the chiefe end and intention whereofbeing to find out the Materia medica of the Antients The generall method is the same with that of our Author which is putting things together as they haue most resemblance one with another in externall forme beginning with Grasses Cornes c. They giue few figures but sometimes refer you to Fuchsius Dodonaeus and Matthiolus but where the figure was not giuen by former Authors then they commonly giue it yet most part of these figures are very small and vnperfect by reason as I coniecture they were taken from dried plants In this Worke they insist little vpon the vertues of Plants but succinctly handle controuersies and giue their opinions of Plants together with their descriptions and names which sometimes are in all these languages Greeke Latine French high and low Dutch and English otherwhiles in but one or two of them Some Writers for this Work call them Doctissimi Angli yet neither of them were borne here for Pena as I take it was a French man and Lobel was borne at Ryssele in Flanders yet liued most part of his later time in this Kingdome and here also ended his dayes In the yeare 1576 he set sorth his Obseruations and ioyned them with the Aduersaria by them two to make one entire Worke for in his Obseruations he giues most part of the figures and vertues belonging to those herbes formerly described onely in the Aduersaria and to these also adds some new ones not mentioned in the former Worke. After which he set forth an Herball in Dutch wherein he comprehended all those Plants that were in the two former Workes and added diuers other to them the Worke containing some 2116 figures which were printed afterwards in a longish forme with the Latine names and references to the Latine and Dutch bookes After all these at London Anno 1605 he againe set forth the Aduersaria together with the second part thereof wherein is contained some fourty figures being most of them of Grasses and Floures but the descriptions were of some 100 plants varieties and all To this he added a Treatise of Balsam which also was set forth alone in Quarto Anno 1598. and the Pharmacopaea of Rondeletius with Annotations vpon it He intended another great Worke whose title should haue beene Stirpium Illustrationes but was preuented by death Some six yeares after the Edition of the Aduersaria Anno 1576 that learned diligent and laborious Herbarist Carol. Clusius set forth his Spanish Obseruations hauing to this purpose trauelled ouer a great part of Spaine and being afterwards called to the Imperiall Court by Maximilian the second he viewed Austria and the adiacent prouinces and set forth his there Obseruation Anno 1583. He also translated out of Spanish the Works of Garcias ab Orta and Christopher Acosta treating of the simple
leaues mixed together the shorter leaues are obtuse as if they were clipt off They are wholly yellow ‡ ‡ 19 Narcissus Iuncifolius reflexus minor The lesser reflex Iunquilia ‡ 20 Narcissus juncifolius multiplex The double Iunquilia 21 The Persian Daffodill hath no stalke at all but onely a small and tender foot stalke of an inch high such as the Saffron floure hath vpon which short and tender stalk doth stand a yellowish floure consisting of six small leaues of which the three innermost are narrower than those on the out side In the middle of the floure doth grow forth a long stile or pointall set about with many small chiues or threds The whole floure is of an vnpleasant smel much like to Poppy The leaues rise vp a little before the floure long smooth and shining The root is bulbed thicke and grosse blackish on the out side and pale within with some threds hanging at the lower part 22 The Autumne Daffodill bringeth forth long smooth glittering leaues of a deepe greene colour among which riseth vp a short stalke bearing at the top one floure and no more resemling the floure of Mead Saffron or common Saffron consisting of six leaues of a bright shining yellow colour in the middle whereof stand six threds or chiues and also a pestell or clapper yellow likewise The root is thicke and grosse like vnto the precedent ‡ 23 To this last may be adioyned another which in shape somewhat resembles it The leaues are smooth greene growing straight vp and almost a fingers breadth among which riseth vp a stalke a little more than halfe a foot in height at the top of which groweth forth a yellow floure not much vnlike that of the last described Autumne Narcisse it consisteth of sixe leaues some inch and halfe in length and some halfe inch broad sharpe pointed the three inner leaues being somewhat longer than the outer There grow forth out of the middest of the floure three whitish chiues tipt with yellow and a pestell in the midst of them longer than any of them The root consists of many coats with fibres comming forth of the bottome thereof like others of this kinde It floures in Februarie ‡ 21 Narcissus Persicus The Persian Daffodill 22 Narcissus Autumnalis major The great Winter Daffodill 24 Small Winter Daffodill hath a bulbous root much like vnto the root of Rush Daffodil but lesser from the which riseth vp a naked stalke without leaues on the top whereof groweth a small white floure with a yellow circle in the middle sweet in smell something stuffing the head as do the other Daffodils ¶ The Place The Daffodils with purple coronets do grow wilde in sundry places of France chiefly in Bourgondie and in Suitzerland in medowes The Rush Daffodill groweth wilde in sundry places of Spaine among grasse and other herbes Dioscorides saith That they be especially found vpon mountaines Theocritus affirmeth the Daffodils to grow in medowes in his nineteenth Eidyl or twentieth according to some editions where he writeth That the faire Ladie Europa entring with her Nymphs into the medowes did gather the sweet smelling Daffodils in these Verses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Which we may English thus But when the Girles were come into The medowes flouring all in sight That Wench with these this Wench with those Trim floures themselues did all delight She with the Narcisse good in 〈◊〉 And she with Hyacinths content But it is not greatly to our purpose particularly to seeke out their places of growing wilde seeing that we haue them all and euery of them in our London gardens in great aboundance The common white Daffodill groweth wilde in fields and sides of Woods in the West parts of England ¶ The Time They floure for the most part in the Spring that is from the beginning of Februarie vnto the end of Aprill The Persian and Winter Daffodils do floure in September and October ‡ 23 Narcissus vernus praecocior 〈◊〉 flore The timely Spring yellow Daffodill 24 Narcissus Autumnalis minor Small Winter Daffodill ¶ The Names Although their names be set forth in their seuerall titles which may serue for their appellations and distinctions notwithstanding it shall not be impertinent to adde a supply of names as also the cause why they are so called The Persian Daffodill is called in the Sclauonian or Turkish tongue Zaremcada Persiana and Zaremcatta as for the most part all other sorts of Daffodils are Notwithstanding the double floured Daffodill they name Giul catamer lale Which name they generally giue vnto all double floures The common white Daffodil with the yellow circle they call Serin Cade that is to say the kings Chalice and Deuebohini which is to say Camels necke or as we do say of a thing with long spindle shinnes Long-shankes vrging it from the long necke of the floure The Rush Daffodill is called of some Ionquillias of the similitude the leaues haue with Rushes Of Dioscorides Bulbus Vomitorius or Vomiting Bulbe according to Dodonaeus Generally all the kindes are comprehended vnder this name Narcissus called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Dutch 〈◊〉 in Spanish Iennetten in English Daffodilly Daffodowndilly and Primerose peerelesse Sophocles nameth them the garland of the infernal gods because they that are departed and dulled with death should worthily be crowned with a dulling floure Of the first and second Daffodill Ouid hath made mention in the third booke of his Metamorphosis where hee describeth the transformation of 〈◊〉 faire boy Narcissus into a floure of his own name saying Nusquam corpus erat croceum pro corpore florem Inueniunt folijs medium cing entibus albis But as for body none remain'd in stead whereof they found A yellow floure with milke white leaues ingirting of it round Pliny and Plutarch affirme as partly hath been touched before that their narcoticke quality was the very cause of the name Narcissus that is a qualitie causing sleepinesse which in Greekes is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or of the fish Torpedo called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which benummes the hands of them that touch him as being hurtfull to the sinewes and bringeth dulnesse to the head which properly belongeth to the Narcisses whose smell causeth drowsinesse ¶ The Nature The roots of Narcissus are hot and dry in the second degree ¶ The Vertues Galen saith That the roots of Narcissus haue such wonderfull qualities in drying that they consound and glew together very great wounds yea and such gashes or cuts as happen about the veins sinewes and tendons They haue also a certaine cleansing and attracting facultie The roots of Narcissus stamped with honey and applied plaister-wise helpeth them that are burned with fire and ioyneth together sinewes that are cut in sunder Being vsed in manner aforesaid it helpeth the great wrenches of the ankles the aches and pains of the ioynts The same applied with hony and nettle seed helpeth Sun burning and the morphew The same stamped with barrowes grease
smel vpon which plant if any should chance to rest and sleepe he might very well report to his friends that he had reposed himselfe among the chiese of Scoggins heires ¶ The Place It groweth vpon dunghills and in the most filthy places that may be found as also about the common pissing places of great princes and Noblemens houses Sometime it is found in places neere bricke kilns and old walls which doth somewhat alter his smell which is like tosted cheese but that which groweth in his naturall place smells like stinking salt-fish whereof it tooke his name Garosmus ¶ The Time It is an herbe for a yeare which springeth vp and when the seed is ripe it perisheth and recouereth it selfe againe of his owne seed so that if it be gotten into a ground it cannot be destroyed ¶ The Names Stinking Orach is called of Cordus Garosmus because it smelleth like stinking fish it is likewise called Tragium Germanicum and Atriplex 〈◊〉 olens by Pena and Lobel for it smelleth more stinking than the rammish male Goat whereupon some by a figure haue called it Vulvaria and it may be called in English stinking Mother-wort ¶ The Nature and Vertues There hath been little or nothing set down by the Antients either of his nature or vertues notwithstanding it hath beene thought profitable by reason of his stinking smell for such as are troubled with the mother for as Hyppocrates saith when the mother doth stifle or strangle such things are to be applied vnto the 〈◊〉 as haue a ranke and stinking smell CHAP. 47. Of Goose-foot ¶ The Description 1 GOose-foot is a common herbe and thought to be a kinde of Orach it riseth vp with a stalke a cubit high or higher somewhat chamfered and branched the leaues be broad smooth sharpe pointed shining hauing certaine deepe cuts about the edges and resembling the foot of a goose the floures be small something red the seed standeth in clusters vpon the top of the branches being very like the seed of wilde Orach and the root is diuided into sundry strings ‡ 2 This differs from the last described in that the leaues are sharper cut and more diuided the seed somewhat smaller and the colour of the whole plant is a deeper or darker greene ‡ 1 Atriplex syluestris latifolia siue Pes Anserinus Goose-foot ‡ 2 Atriplex syluestris latifolia 〈◊〉 The other Goose-foot ¶ The Place It growes plentifully in obscure places neere old walls and high-waies and in desart places ¶ The Time It flourisheth when the Orach doth whereof this is a wilde kinde ¶ The Names The later Herbarists haue called it Pes anserinus and Chenopodium of the likenesse the leaues haue with the foot of a Goose in English Goose-foot and wilde Orach ¶ The Temperature This herbe is cold and moist and that no lesser than Orach but as it appeareth more cold ¶ The Vertues It is reported that it killeth swine if they do eate thereof it is not vsed in Physicke and 〈◊〉 lesse as a sallade herbe CHAP. 48. Of English Mercurie Bonus Henricus English Mercurie or good Henrie ¶ The Description GOod Henrie called Tota bona so named of the later Herbarists is accounted of them to be one of the Dockes but not properly This bringeth forth very many thicke stalkes set with leaues two foot high on the branches wherof towards the top stand greene floures in clusters thicke thrust together The seed is flat like that of the Orach whereof this is a kinde The leaues be fastened to long foote-stalkes broad behinde and sharpe pointed fashioned like the leaues of Aron or Wake-robin white or grayish of colour and as it were couered ouer with a fine meale in handling it is fat and olious with a very thicke root and parted into many diuisions of a yellow colour within like the sharpe pointed Docke ¶ The Place It is commonly found in vntilled places and among rubbish neere common waies old walls and by hedges in fields ¶ The Time It floureth in Iune and Iuly especially ¶ The Names It is called of some 〈◊〉 Anserinus and Tota bona in English All-Good and Good Henrie in Cambridgshire it is called Good king Harry the Germanes call it Guter Heinrick of a certaine good qualitie it hath as they also name a certaine pernicious herbe Malus Henricus or bad Henry It is taken for a kinde of Mercurie but vnproperly for that it hath no participation with Mercurie either in forme or quality except yee will call euery herbe Mercurie which hath power to loose the belly ¶ The Temperature Bonus Henricus or Good Henrie is moderately hot and dry clensing and scouring withall ¶ The Vertues The leaues boiled with other pot-herbes and eaten maketh the body soluble The same brused and laid vpon greene wounds or foale and old vlcers doth scoure mundisie and heale them CHAP. 49. Of Spinach Spinacia Spinach ¶ The Description 1 SPinach is a kinde of Blite after 〈◊〉 notwithstanding I rather take it 〈◊〉 kinde of Orach It bringeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and tender leaues of a darke greene colour full 〈◊〉 juice sharpe pointed and in the largest part 〈◊〉 neather end square parted oftentimes with a deepe gash on either side next to the 〈◊〉 foot-stalke the stalke is round a foot high 〈◊〉 within on the tops of the branches stand little floures in clusters in whose places doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prickly seed The root consisteth of many small threds 2 There is another sort found in our 〈◊〉 like vnto the former in goodnesse as also in 〈◊〉 sauing that the leaues are not so great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deepely gasht or indented and the seed 〈◊〉 prickles at all for which cause it is called 〈◊〉 Spinach ¶ The Place It is sowne in gardens without any great 〈◊〉 or industrie and forsaketh not any ground being but indifferent fertill ¶ The Time It may be sowne almost at any time of 〈◊〉 yeere but being sowne in the spring it quickly groweth vp and commeth to perfection within two moneths but that which is sowne in the fall of the leafe groweth not so soone to perfection yet continueth all the win terand seedeth presently vpon the first spring ¶ The Names It is called in these daies Spinachia of some Spinacheum olus of others Hispanicum olus 〈◊〉 nameth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Arabians and Serapio call it Hispane the Germanes Spinet in 〈◊〉 Spinage and Spinach in French Espinas ¶ The Nature Spinach is euidently cold and moist almost in the second degree but rather moist It is 〈◊〉 the pot-herbes whose substance is waterie and almost without taste and therefore quickly 〈◊〉 deth and looseth the bellie ¶ The Vertues It is eaten boiled but it yeeldeth little or no nourishment at all it is something windie and easily causeth a desire to vomit it is vsed in sallades when it is young and tender This herbe of all other pot-herbes and sallade herbes maketh the greatest diuersitie of 〈◊〉 and sallades CHAP. 50. Of Pellitorie of the wall ¶ The
likewise in his Prognosticks he saith that it is necessary that S. Anthonies sire should breake forth and that it is death to haue it driuen in which is to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not onely of S. Anthonies fire but also of other like burstings out procured by 〈◊〉 For by vsing of these kindes of cooling and repelling medicines the bad corrupt and sharpe 〈◊〉 are driuen backe inwardly to the chiese and principall parts which cannot be done without great danger and hazard of life And therefore we must not vnaduisedly lightly or rashly 〈◊〉 such kinde of medicines vpon the comming out of Saint Anthonies fire the shingles or such 〈◊〉 pimples and blemishes of the skinne The iuice of the greene leaues of Garden Nightshade mixed with Barley meale is very 〈◊〉 applied vnto Saint Anthonies fire and to all hot inflammations The iuice mixed with oile of Roses Ceruse and Littarge of gold and applied is more 〈◊〉 and effectuall to the purposes before set downe Neither the iuice heereof nor any other part is vsually giuen inwardly yet it may without any danger The leaues stamped are profitably put into the ointment of Popler buds called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it is good in all other ointments made for the same purpose ‡ 2 The barke of the root of Sleepie Nightshade taken in the weight of 31. hath a 〈◊〉 qualitie yet is it milder then Opium and the fruit thereof vehemently prouokes vrine But as Pliny saith the remedies hereof are not of such esteeme that we should long insist vpon them especially seeing wee are furnished with such store of medicines lesse harmefull yet seruing 〈◊〉 the same purpose ‡ CHAP. 56. Of sleepy Nightshade Solanum Laethale Dwale or deadly Nightshade ¶ The Description DWale or sleeping Nightshade 〈◊〉 round blackish stalkes six foot high wherupon do grow great broad 〈◊〉 of a darke greene colour among which doe grow small hollow flowers bel fashion of an ouerworne purple colour in the place wherof come forthgreatround berrios of the bignesse of the blacke cherry greene at the 〈◊〉 but when they be ripe of the color of 〈◊〉 iette or burnished horne soft and full of purple iuice among which iuice lie the 〈◊〉 like the berries of Iuy the root is very great thicke and long lasting The Place It groweth in vntoiled places neere vnto high waies and the sea marshes and such like places It groweth very plentifully in Holland in Lincolnshire and in the I le of Ely at a place called Walsoken neere vnto Wisbitch I found it growing without the gate of Highgate neere vnto a pound or pinsold on the left hand The Time This flourisheth all the Sommer and Spring beareth his seed and flower in Iuly and August ¶ The Names It is called of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latines 〈◊〉 somniferum or sleeping Nightshade and Solanum laethale or deadly Nightshade and Solanum 〈◊〉 raging Nightshade of some Apollinaris minor vlticana and Herba Opsago in English Dwale or sleeping Nightshade the Venetians and Italians call it Bella dona the Germanes Dollwurtz the low Dutch Dulle besien in French Morelle mortelle it commeth very neere vnto 〈◊〉 his Mandragoras which differeth from Dioscorides his Mandragoras ¶ The Nature It is cold euen in the fourth degree ¶ The Vertues This kinde of Nightshade causeth sleep troubleth the minde bringeth madnesse if a few of the berries be inwardly taken but if moe be giuen they also kill and bring present death 〈◊〉 in his 6. booke doth likewise write of Mandrake in this manner Mandrake causeth sleepe and if also much of it be taken it bringeth death The greene leaues of deadly Nightshade may with great aduice be vsed in such cases at Pettimorrell but if you will follow my counsell deale not with the same in any case and banish it from your gardens and the vse of it also being a plant so furious and deadly for it bringeth such as haue eaten thereof into a dead sleepe wherein many haue died as hath been often seen and prooued by experience both in England and else where But to giue you an example heeréof it shall not be amisse It came to passe that three boyes of Wisbich in the I le of Ely did eate of the pleasant beautifull fruite hereof two whereof died in lesse than eight houres after that they had eaten of them The third child had a quantitie of hony and water mixed together giuen him to drinke causing him to vomit often God blessed this meanes and the child recouered Banish therefore these pernicious plants out of your gardens and all places neere to your houses where children or women with child do resort which do oftentimes long and lust after things most vile and filthie and much more after a berry of a bright shining blacke colour and of such great beautie as it were able to allure any such to eate thereof The leaues heereof laid vnto the temples cause sleepe especially if they be imbibed or moistened in wine vineger Iteaseth the intollerable paines of the head-ache proceeding of heate in furious agues causing rest being applied as aforesaid CHAP. 57. Of winter Cherries ¶ The Description 1 THe red winter Cherrie bringeth forth stalkes a cubit long round slender smooth and somewhat reddish reeling this way and that way by reason of his weakenesse not able to stand vpright without a supporter whereupon do grow leaues not vnlike to those of common Nightshade but greater among which leaues come forth white floures consisting of fiue small leaues in the middle of which leaues standeth out a berry greene at the first and red when it is 〈◊〉 in colour of our common Cherry and of the same bignesse inclosed in a thinne huske or little bladder it is of a pale reddish colour in which berrie is conteined many small flat seeds of a pale colour The rootes be long not vnlike to the rootes of Couch-grasse ramping and creeping within the vpper crust of the earth farre abroad whereby it encreaseth greatly 2 The blacke winter Cherrie hath weake and slender stalkes somewhat crested and like vnto the tendrels of the vine casting it selfe all about and taketh hold of such things as are next vnto it whereupon are set jagged leaues deepely indented or cut about the edges almost to the middle ribbe The floures be very small and white standing vpon long foote-stalkes or stemmes The skinnie bladders succeed the floures parted into three sells or chambers euery of the which conteineth one seed and no more of the bignesse of a small pease and blacke of colour hauing a marke of white colour vpon each berrie in proportion of an heart The roote is very small and threddie ¶ The Place The red winter Cherrie groweth vpon old broken walls about the borders of fieldes and in moist shadowie places and in most gardens where some cherish it for the beautie of the berries and others for the great and worthy vertues thereof 2 The blacke
¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Herba Pedicularis and Peduncularia as Marcellus reporteth Pliny in his 26 Booke chap. 13. seemeth to name it Vua Taminia of some Pituitaria and Passula montana in shops Staphis-agria in Spanish Yeruapiolente in French Herbe aux poulx in high-Dutch Lens Kraut in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Staues-acre Louse-wort and Louse-pouder ¶ The Temperature The seeds of Staues-acre are extreame hot almost in the fourth degree of a biting and burning qualitie ¶ The Vcrtues Fifteene seeds of Staues-acre taken with honied water will cause one to vomit grosse flegme and slimie matter but with great violence and therefore those that haue taken them ought to walke without staying and to drinke honied water because it bringeth danger of choking and burning the throat as Dioscorides noteth And for this cause they are reiected and not vsed of the physitions either in prouoking vomit or else in mixing them with other inward medicines The seed mingled with oyle or grease driueth away lice from the head beard and all other parts of the body and cureth all scuruy itch and manginesse The same boyled in Vineger and holden in the mouth asswageth the tooth-ache The same chewed in the mouth draweth forth much moisture from the head and cleanseth the braine especially if a little of the root of Pellitorie of Spaine be added thereto The same tempered with vineger is good to be rubbed vpon lousie apparell to destroy and driue away Lice The seeds hereof are perillous to be taken inwardly without good aduice and correction of the same and therefore I aduise the ignorant not to be ouer-bold to meddle with it sith it is so dangerous that many times death ensueth vpon the taking of it CHAP. 138. Of Palma Christi ¶ The Description 1 〈◊〉 Palma Christi or Kik hath a great round hollow stalke fiue cubits high of a browne colour died with a 〈◊〉 purple vpon greene The leaues are great and large parted into sundry sections or diuisions fashioned like the leaues of a fig-tree but greater spred or wide open like the hand of a man and hath toward the top a bunch of floures clustering together like a bunch of grapes whereof the lowest are of a pale yellow colour and wither away without bearing any fruit and the vppermost are reddish bringing forth three cornered huskes which containe seed as big as a kidney beane of the colour and shape of a certaine vermine which haunteth cattell called a Tik 2 This Palma Christi of America growes vp to the height and bignesse of a small tree or hedge shrub of a wooddy substance whose fruit is expressed by the figure being of the bignes of a great beane somewhat long and of a blackish colour rough and scaly 1 Ricinus Palma Christi 2 Ricinus Americanus Palma Christi of America ¶ The Place The first kinde of Ricinus or Palma Christi groweth in my garden and in many other gardens likewise ¶ The Time Ricinus or Kik is sowne in Aprill and the seed is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Name and canse thereof Ricinus whereof mention is made in the fourth chapter and sixt verse of the prophecie of Ionas was called of the Talmudists 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kik for in the Talmud we reade thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Velo beschemen Kik that is in English And not with the oile of Kik which oile is called in the Arabian tongue Alkerua as Rabbi Samuel the sonne of 〈◊〉 testifieth Moreouer a certaine Rab bine moueth a question saying what is Kik Hereunto 〈◊〉 Lachish maketh answer in Ghemara saying Kik is nothing else but Ionas his Kikaijon And that this is true it appeareth by that name 〈◊〉 which the ancient Greeke Physitions and the Aegiptians vsed which Greeke word commeth of the Hebrew word Kik Hereby it appeareth that the old writers long agoe called this plant by the true and proper name But the old Latine writers knew it by the name Cucurbita which euidently is manifested by an history which Saint Augustine recordeth in his Epistle to Saint Ierome where in effect he writeth thus That name 〈◊〉 is of small moment yet so small a matter caused a great tumult in Africa For on a time a certaine Bishop hauing an occasion to intreat of this which is mentioned in the fourth chapter of Ionas his prophecie in a collation or sermon which he made in his cathedrall church or place of assembly said that this plant was called Cucurbita a Gourde because it encreased vnto so great a quantitie in so short a space or else saith he it is called Hedera Vpon the nouelty and vntruth of this his doctrine the people were greatly offended and thereof suddenly arose a tumult and hurly burly so that the Bishop was inforced to goe to the Iewes to aske their iudgment as touching the name of this plant And when he had receiued of them the true name which was Kikaijon he made his open recantation and confessed his error was iustly accused for a falsifier of the holy scripture ‡ The Greeks called this plant also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Ricinus by reason of the similitude that the seed hath with that insect to wit a Tik ‡ ¶ The Nature The seed of Palma Christi or rather Kik is hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues 〈◊〉 his seed taken inwardly openeth the belly and causeth vomit drawing slimy flegme and choler from the places possessed therewith The broth of the meate supped vp wherin the seed hath been sodden is good for the collicke and the gout and against the paine in the hips called Sciatica it preuaileth also against the jaundise and dropsie The oile that is made or drawne from the seed is called Oleum Cicinum in shops it is called 〈◊〉 de Cherua it heateth and drieth as was said before and is good to anoint and rub all rough hardnesse and scuruinesse gotten by itch This oile as Rabbi Dauid Chimchi writeth is good against extreme coldnesse of the body CHAP. 139. Of Spurge ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Sea Spurge riseth forth of the sands or baich of the sea with sundry reddish stems or stalkes growing vpon one single roote of a wooddy substance and the stalkes are beset with small fat and narrow leaues like vnto the leaues of Flaxe The floures are yellowish and grow out of little dishes or saucers like the common kinde of Spurge After the floures come triangle seeds as in the other Tithymales 2 The second kinde called Helioscopius or Solisequius and in English according to his Greek name Sunne Spurge or time Tithymale of turning or keeping time with the sunne hath sundry reddish stalkes of a foot high the leaues are like vnto Purslane not so great nor thicke but snipt about the edges the floures are yellowish and growing in little platters 3 The third kinde hath thicke fat and slender branches trailing vpon the ground
the correction of strong and violent purgers The quantitie of Scammony or of 〈◊〉 it selfe as 〈◊〉 writeth is from fiue graines to ten or twelue it may be kept as the same Author sheweth foure yeeres 〈◊〉 iudgeth it to be after two yeeres little worth it is to be vsed saith he when it is two yeeres old and it is not good before nor after The mixing or otherwise the vse thereof more than is set downe I thinke it not expedient to set forth in the Physicall vertues of Scammony vpon the receipt whereof many times death insueth my reasons are diuers for that the same is very dangerous either if too great a quantitie thereof be taken or if it be giuen without correction or taken at the hands of some runnagate 〈◊〉 monger quacksaluer old women-leaches and such like abusers of Physicke and deceiuers of people The vse of Scammony I commit to the learned vnto whome it especially and onely belongeth who can very carefully and curiously vse the same CHAP. 320. Of Briony or the white Vine ¶ The Kindes There be two kindes of Bryony the one white the other blacke of the white Briony as followeth Bryonia alba White Bryonie ¶ The Description WHite Briony bringeth forth diuers long and slender stalkes with many clasping tendrels like the Vine wherewith it catcheth hold of those things that are next vnto it The leaues are broad fiue cornered and indented like those of the Vine but rougher more hairie and whiter of colour The floures be small and white growing many together The fruite consisteth in little clusters the berries whereof are at the first greene and red when they be ripe The roote is very greate long and thicke growing deepe in the earth of a white yellowish colour extreame bitter and altogether of an vnpleasant taste The Queenes chiefe Surgion Mr. William Godorous a very curious and learned gentleman shewed me a root hereof that waied halfe an hundred weight and of the bignesse of a child of a yeere old ¶ The Place Briony groweth almost euery where among pot-herbes hedge-bushes and such like places ¶ The Time It floureth in May and bringeth forth his grapes in Autumne ¶ The Names Bryony is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Vitis alba or white Vine and it is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is not onely like the Vine in leaues but also for that it bringeth forth his fruite made vp after the likenesse of a little cluster although the berries stand not close together it is called of Pliny Bryonia and Madon of the Arabians Alphesera of Matthaeus Sylvaticus Viticella in the poore mans Treasure Rorastrum of Apuleius Apiastellum vitis Taminia Vitis alga and Vitalba in high Dutch Suchwurtz in low Dutch Brionie in English Bryony white Bryony and tetter Berrie in French Couleuree in Italian Zuccasylvatica in Spanish Nuezablanca ¶ The Temperature White Briony is in all parts hot and dry exceeding the third degree especially of heate with an exceeding great force of clensing and scouring by reason whereof it purgeth and draweth forth not onely cholericke and flegmaticke humours but also watrie ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth that the first springs or sproutings being boiled and eaten do purge by siege and vrine Galen saith that all men vse accustomably to eate of it in the spring time and that it is a nourishment wholesome by reason of the binding qualitie that it hath which is to be vnderstood of those of the wilde Vine called in Latine Tamus and not of the sproutings of this plant for the sproutings of the first springs of white Bryony are nothing binding at all but do mightily purge the belly and torment the stomacke Dioscorides also affirmeth that the juice of the root being pressed out in the spring and drunke with meade or honied water purgeth flegme and not onely the juice but also the decoction of the root draweth forth flegme choler and waterish humours and that very strongly and it is withall oftentimes so troublesome to the stomacke as it procureth vomite This kinde of strong purgation is good for those that haue the dropsie the falling sicknesse and the dizzinesse and swimming of the braine and head which hath continued long and is hardly to be remooued yet notwithstanding it is not dayly to be giuen as Dioscorides admonisheth to them that haue the falling sickenesse for it will be troublesome enough to take it now and then and it is as we haue said an exceeding strong medicine purging with violence and very forceable for mans nature The root put vp in manner of a pessary bringeth forth the dead child and afterbirth being boiled for a bath to sit in it worketh the same effect It scoureth the skin and taketh away wrinckles freckles sunne burning blacke marks spots and scars of the face being tempered with the meale of vetches or Tares or of Fenugreeke or boiled in oile till it be consumed it taketh away blacke and blew spots which come of stripes it is good against Whitlowes being stamped with wine and applied it breaketh biles and small apostumes it draweth forth splinters and broken bones if it be stamped and laid thereto The same is also fitly mixed with eating medicines as Dioscorides writeth The fruit is good against scabs and the leprie if it be applied and annointed on as the same Author affirmeth Galen writeth that it is profitable for Tanners to thicken their leather hides with Furthermore an electuary made of the roots and hony or sugar is singular good for them that are short winded troubled with an old cough paine in the sides and for such as are hurt and bursten inwardly for it dissolueth and scatereth abroad congealed and clottered bloud The root stamped with salt is good to be laid vpon filthy vlcers and scabbed legs The fruite is likewise good to the same intent if it be applied in manner aforesaid The root of Bryony and of wake-Robin stamped with some sulphur or brimstone and made vp into a masse or lump and wrapped in a linnen clout taketh away the morphew freckles and spots of the face if it be rubbed with the same being dipped first in vineger CHAP. 321. Of blacke Brionie or the wilde Vine ¶ The Description 1 Bryonia nigra Blacke Bryonie 2 The wilde Blacke Bryonie resembleth the former as well in slender Vinie stalkes as leaues but clasping tendrels hath it none neuerthelesse by reason of the infinite branches and the tendernesse of the same it taketh hold of those things that stand next vnto it although easie to bee loosed contrarie vnto the other of his kinde The berries heereof are blacke of colour when they be ripe The root also is blacke without and within of a pale yellow colour like box ‡ This which is here described is the Bryonia nigra of Dodonaeus But Bauhine calleth it Bryonia Alba and saith it differeth from the common white Bryonie onely in that the root is of a yellowish boxe colour on the
deeply cut in and snipt about the edges of a darke greene colour and shining pretty thicke and of a very hot 〈◊〉 amongst which rises vp a slender single and short stalke bearing a white floure made of fiue little leaues with a yellowish thrum in the middle which falling the seeds grow clustering together as in other plants of this kinde the root is white and fibrous ‡ 3 Ranunculus montanus flo minore Mountain Crowfoot with the lesser floure ‡ 4 Ranunculus 〈◊〉 flore maiore Mountain Crowfoot with the bigger floure 4 This also is nothing else but a varietie of the last described and differs from it in that the floures are larger and it is sometimes sound with them double Both these grow on the tops of the Alpes and there they floure as soone as the snow is melted away which is vsually in Iune but brought into gardens they floure very early to wit in Aprill ‡ 5 Ranunculus praecox 〈◊〉 folio Rue leaued Crowfoot ‡ 6 Ranunculus Praecox 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Columbine Crowfoot ‡ 7 Ranunculus parvus echinatus Small rough headed Crowfoot 6 This hath a stalke some foot high small and reddish whereon grow sundry leaues like those of the greater Thalictrum or those of Columbines but much lesse and of a bitter taste out of the bosomes of these leaues come the floures at each space one white and consisting of fiue leaues apiece which falling there succeed two or three little hornes containing a round reddish seed the root is fibrous white very bitter and creepes here and there putting vp new shoots It growes in diuers woods of Austria and floures in Aprill and the seed is ripe in May or Iune Clusius calls it Ranunculus praecox 2. Thalietri folio It is the Aquilegiaminor Daleschampij in the Hist. Lugd. 7 This which as Clusius saith some call the Ranunculus of Apuleius hath also a fibrous root with small leaues diuided into three parts cut about the edges and they grow vpon short foot-stalkes the stalkes are some two handfulls-high commonly leaning on the ground and on them grow such leaues as the former and out of their bosomes come little foot-stalks carrying floures of a pale yellow color made of fiue leaues apiece which follow there succed fiue or six sharpe pointed rough cods conteining seed almost like that of the former ‡ CHAP. 372. Of Woolfes-bane ¶ The kindes There be diuers sorts of Wolfes-bane whereof some bring forth flowers of a yellow colour others of a blew or tending to purple among the yellow ones there are some greater others lesser some with broader leaues and others with narrower 1 Thora Valdensis Broad leafed VVolfes-bane 2 Thoramontis Baldi sive Sabaudica Mountaine VVolfes-bane ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Aconite of some called Thora others adde therto the place where it groweth in great abundance which is the Alps and call it Thora Valdensium This plant tooke his name of the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying corruption poison or death which are the certaine effects of this pernicious plant for this they vse very much in poisons and when they meane to infect their arrow heads the more speedily and deadly to dispatch the wilde beasts which greatly annoy those mountaines of the Alpes to which purpose also it is brought into the Mart-townes neere vnto those places to be sold vnto the hunters the iuice thereof beeing prepared by pressing forth and so kept in hornes and hoofes of beasts for the most speedie poison of all the Aconites for an arrow touched therewith leaueth the wound vncureable if it but onely fetch bloud where it entereth in except that round about the wound the flesh bee speedily cut away in great argueth also that Matthiolus hath vnproperly called it Pseudoaconitum that is false or bastard Aconite for without question there is no worse or more speedie venome in the world nor no Aconite or toxicall plant comparable hereunto And yet let vs consider the fatherly care and prouidence of God who hath prouided a conquerour and triumpher ouer this plant so venomous namely his Antigonist 〈◊〉 or to speake in shorter and fewer syllables Anthora which is the very antidote or remedie against this kinde of Aconite The stalke of this plant is small and rushie very smooth two or three handfulls high whereupon do grow two three or foure leaues seldome more which be something hard round smooth of a light greene colour tending to blewnesse like the colour of the leaues of 〈◊〉 nicked in the edges The floures grow at the top of the stalkes of a yellow colour lesser than those of the field Crowfoot otherwise alike in the place therof groweth a knop or round head wherein is the seed the root consisteth of nine or ten slender clogs with some small fibers also and they are 〈◊〉 together with little strings vnto one head like those of the white Asphodill 2 Wolfes-bane of the mount Baldus hath one stalke smooth and plaine in the middle whereof come sorth two leaues and no more wherein it differeth from the other of the Valdens hauing likewise three or foure sharpe pointed leaues narrow and somewhat iagged at the place where the stalke diuideth it selfe into smaller branches whereon do grow small yellow floures like the precedent but much lesser ¶ The Place These venomous plants doe grow on the Alpes and the mountaines of 〈◊〉 and Switzer land the first grow plentifully in the countrey of the Valdens who inhabite part of those moun taines towards Italie The other is found on Baldus a mountaine of Italy They are strangers in England ¶ The Time They floure in March and Aprill their seed is ripe in Iune ¶ The Names This kinde of Aconite or Wolfes-bane is called Thora Taura and 〈◊〉 it is surnamed Valdensis that it may differ from Napellus or Monkes hood which is likewise named Thora Auicen maketh mention of a certaine deadly herbe in his fourth booke sixt Fen. called Farsiun it is hard to affirme this same to be Thora Valdensis ‡ Gesaer iudges this to be the Aconitum pardalianches of Dioscorides and herein is followed by 〈◊〉 ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The sorce of these Wolfes-banes is most pernicious and poison some and as it is reported exceedeth the malice of 〈◊〉 or any of the other Wolfes-banes as we haue said They say that it is of such force that if a man especially and then next any foure footed beast be wounded with an arrow or other instrument dipped in the iuice hereof they die within halfe an houre after remedilesse CHAP. 373. Of Winter Wolfes-bane ¶ The Description THis kinde of Aconite is called Aconitum hyemale Belgarum of Dodonoeus Aconitum luteum minus in English VVolfes-bane or smal yellow wolfes-bane whose leaues come forth of the ground in the dead time of winter many times bearing the snow vpon their heads of his leaues and floures yea the colder the weather is and the deeper that the snow is the fairer and
roots in shape like Creauises Hereunto agreeth the Emperors picture in all things sauing in the leaues which are not so large nor so much diuided but notched or toothed like the teeth of a saw 3 Napellus verus coeruleus Blew Helmet-floure or Monks-hood ‡ 4 Aconitum lycoctonum ex Cod. Caesareo ‡ 5 Besides these mentioned by our Author there are sundry other plants belonging to this pernitious Tribe whose historie I will briefely runne ouer The first of these is that which Clusius hath set forth by the name of Aconitum lycoctonum flo Delphinij Silesiacum it hath stalks some two or three cubits high smooth and hollow of a greenish purple colour and couered with a certaine mealinesse the leaues grow vpon long stalks being rough and fashioned like those of the yellow Wolfes bane but of a blacker colour the top of the stalke ends in a long spike of spurre-floures which before they be open resemble locusts or little Lyzards with their long and crooking tailes but opening they shew fiue leaues two on the sides two below and one aboue which ends in a crooked 〈◊〉 or horne all these leaues are wrinckled and purple on their outsides but smooth and of an elegant blew within After the floures are past succeed three square cods as in other Aconites wherein is contained an vnequall brownish wrinckled seed the root is thicke black and tuberous This growes naturally in some mountaines of Silesia and floures in Iuly and August 〈◊〉 ‡ 5 Aconitum lycoct hirsutum flo Delphinij Rough Larks-heele Wolfes-bane ‡ 6 Aconitum 〈◊〉 Violet coloured Monks hood ‡ 7 Aconitum purpureum 〈◊〉 Purple Monks-hood of Newburg ‡ 8 Aconitum maximum Iudenbergense Large floured Monks-hood 6 The leaues of this are somwhat like yet lesse than those of our common Monks-hood blackish on the vpper side and shining The stalke is some cubit and halfe high firme 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 smooth and shining diuided towards the top into some branches carrying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like 〈◊〉 forme to those of the vulgar Monks-hood of a most elegant and deepe 〈◊〉 colour the seeds are like the former and roots round thicke and short with many fibres It growes vpon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saltsburg where it floures in Iuly but brought into gardens it floures sooner than the rest of 〈◊〉 kinde to wit in May. Clusius calls this Aconitum 〈◊〉 4. Tauricum 7 This hath leaues broader than those of our ordinarie Monks-hood yet like them the stalke is round straight and firme and of some three cubits height and oft times toward the top diuided into many branches which carry their floures spike-fashion of a purple colour absolutely like those of the common sort but that the thrummie matter in the middest of the floures is of 〈◊〉 duskier colour The root and rest of the parts are like those of the common kinde it growes naturally vpon the Styrian Alpes whereas it floures somewhat after the common kinde to wit in Iuly Clusius hath it by the name of Aconitum lycoctonum 5. 〈◊〉 ‡ 9 Aconitum maximum nutante coma Monkes-hood with the bending 〈◊〉 nodding head 8 The leaues of this are also diuided into fiue parts and snipt about the edges and doe very much resemble those of the smal 〈◊〉 described in the second place but that the leaues of that shine when as these do not the stalke is two cubits high not very thicke yet firme and straight of a greenish purple colour and at the top carries fiue or six floures the largest of all the 〈◊〉 hoods consisting of foure leaues as in the rest of this kind with a very large helmet ouer them being sometimes an inch long of an elegant blewish purple color the seed-vessels seeds and roots are like the rest of this kinde This growes on Iudenberg the highest hill of all Stiria and floures in August in gardens about the end of Iuly Clusius names it Aconitum Lycoct 9. Iudenbergense 9 This rises vp to the height of three cubits with a slender round stalke which is diuided into sundry branches and commonly hangs downe the head whence Clusius cals it Aconitum lycoctonum 8. 〈◊〉 nutante The floures are like those of the common Monks-hood but of somewhat a lighter purple colour The leaues are larger and long and much more cut in or diuided than any of the rest The roots seeds and other particles are not vnlike those of the rest of this kinde ‡ ¶ The Place Diuers of these Wolfs-banes grow in some gardens except Aconitum lycoctonon taken forth of the Emperors booke ¶ The Time These plants do floure from May vnto the end of August ¶ The Names The first is Lycoctoni specics or a kinde of Wolfes-bane and is as hurtfull as any of the rest and called of Lobel Aconitum flore Delphinij or Larke-spur Wolses-bare Auicen speaketh hereof in his second booke and afterwards in his fourth booke Fen. 6. the first Treatise hauing his reasons why and wherefore he hath separated this from Canach adip that is to say the Wolses strangler or the Wolfes-bane The later and barbarous Herbarists call the third Wolfes bane in Latine Napellus of the figure and shape of the roots of Napus or Nauet or Nauew gentle it is likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a kinde of Wolfes-bane also it may be called Toxicum sor Toxicum is a deadly medicine wherewith the Hunters poyson their speares darts and arrowes that bring present death so named 〈◊〉 arrowes which the Barbarians call Toxcumata and Toxa 〈◊〉 setting downe the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or accidents caused by Toxicum together with the remedies reckoneth vp almost the verie same that Auicen doth concerning Napellus notwithstanding Auicen writes of Napellus and Toxicum seuerally but not knowing what Toxicum is as he himselfe confesseth so that it is not to be maruelled that hauing written of Napellus he should afterward entreat againe of Toxicum ¶ The Nature and Vertues All these plants are hot and dry in the fourth degree and of a most venomous qualitie The force and facultie of Wolfes-bane is deadly to man and all kindes of beasts the same was tried of late in Antwerpe and is as yet fresh in memorie by an euident experiment but most lamentable for when the leaues hereof were by certaine ignorant persons serued vp in sallads all that did eate thereof were presently taken with most cruell symptomes and so died The symptomes that follow those that do eate of these deadly herbes are these their lips and tongues swell forthwith their eyes hang out their thighes are stiffe and their wits are taken from them as Auicen writeth in his fourth booke The force of this poyson is such that if the points of darts or arrowes be touched with the same it bringeth deadly hurt to those that are wounded therewith Against so deadly a poyson Auicen reckoneth vp certaine remedies which helpe after the poyson is vomited vp and among these he maketh mention of the Mouse as the copies euery where haue it nourished and fed vp with Napellus which